Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-09-16

was searched and the papers, money, every
thing that could possibly bear upon the case
made into II package, along with tic clothes
In one of the bureau drawers NJ. LaCroX
ttdul a small silver handled revolver Of SIX
barrels, five of which were loaded and one
empty, and it was of a size which would
carry just such ball as the doctor had OK
tracted from the dead mans breast. The
three men took their departure, carrying with
them the clothes, papers and revolver
1--WE shall have to return tonight toward
10 or II o'clock for an experiment which /
wish to make. Will you please wait our
conngt' said Lacroix, as they were about
to 60.
licnriette bowed without speaking. She
had reached the limit of her forces and could
no longer resist
At about II Lacroix returned, accompanied
by Tr>tot and Pivolot, and it was Henriette
herself who opened the door for him. She
had tried to imagine what could be their
object, but vainly. And after all, what did
it matter! 1t would only be one torture more.
Neither of the detectives entered the house
with NJ. Lacroix. They remained in the gar
den, while he mounted to the parlor, where
he said:
Il must ask your permission, madame, togo
into your room for few minutes only"
"What do you wish to dog
You shall see. 1t is an experiment"
lie went into the room. Suzanne was not
in bed She had begged so hard of her
mother not to make her go to bed until they
should have gone
"Oh, mother, mother!7 she had begged,
protect Inc from that mani Forbid him to
talk to me: he frightens mel'
As soon as She saw NJ. Lacroix she retreated
to the back of the room, while the magistrate
went out on the balcony The night was
splendid. The sky seemed covered with stars,
which shone like so many plying eyes upon
thi. corner of the earth, where for two days
despair had made its habitation. The calm
was so great that there was not even a leaf
stirring. Opposite, the cottage Of Larouettc,
mournful aud deserted since the assassina-
ton, seemed to animate Itself and to live,
Before the open window of the victims room
Il shadow moved Il candle placed ON the
tdble suddenly lighted the scene, the theatre
of the crime. Lacroix then came and took
Suzanne by the hand. She drew back, say
ing:
Mamma, mamma, l don't want to go!"
llcmriette mechanically approached the
balcony, not imagining what II. Lacroix in
tended to do, but, suddenly having seen, she
UNDERSTOOD and drew back with a cry of
horror.
"No, you shall not do that" cried the I'M
happy woman, throwing herself between SUI
zannc and II. Lacroix. 1T would be an abom-
nation, an G,rocious abuse of power that is
not permitted you. 1t is enough to have tor
tured US as you have done for the last two
days. You are in my house and in my room,
,.r1,+ To-,
and do. Col go!'
She was in a state of agitation bordering
Oh insanity, ard she drew back from N. La
croiX, hiding the child's terrified face in her
robe
But reflect, madame" said LaCrOiX.
Il have told you that my child is sick A
strong emotion may kill her, so delicate and
nervous she is Have pity upon her, sir.
And what do you wish anyhow from herr
What of me' Why for two days have you
entered by force into our lives, giving us nc
instant of reposo! A crime has been COM
mitted near US Is it my fault or hcrs' You
trcspass upon our rights, and your zeal carrie;
you too far. a womans chamber should be
sacred to you, and more sacred still the
terrors, the tears and the innocence Of this
child. Go then, tell you"
She was angry, felt outraged, and not only
that, but hemmed in and helpless, and per
haps she would have betrayed herself had
he not answered coldly:
"Sinco neither you nor our daughter know!
anything of the murder of Larouette, how
can you know that we are about to rehearsC
| the crmeN
She said no more except Have mercy upol
us, OH Father of the fatherlessl'
Lacroix said:
"Since she saw nothing why is she afraid
And why does she not wish to go with me OF
the balconyl"
Suzanne suddenly lifted her head anC
looked at her with regard which said plain
ly, "Fear nothing; am strong"
and with Lacroix she went cut on the bal
cony. Opposite, in the little room, seated
before his secretary, was man occupied Will
his papers This was Tristot Behind hin
burned the candle which shed its light. La
croix touched Suzanne's shoulder. Look
child If you have seen you will remember.
Then came up the street a tall man, with {
high gray hat, gray coat with a cape. Thi
was Pivoot, in Rogers clothes One by on
the dreadful scenes Of this drama were WORKED
out with remarkable force and precision,
zone can see perfectly well, said Lacroix
sand it is evident, if they were, as Victori;
says, on this balcony, they saw ALL
During this time he held Suzanne by tn
hand He hoped that she would show SOM
emotion, make some movement, but not on
did she make. Then he leaned over gentl'
and looked at her closely, and found that he
eyes Were tightly closed and she held them s.
with such force that her little face was on
mass of wrinkles She had willed not to sec
and she had not scent
Sublime chidw murmured tho magistrate
''sho has conquered me-
CHAPTER ".
We must go backward few hours in on
recital and follow Roger Laroque from tn
moment he left the provisional police burea
and took the train for Paris, Half an hou
later he was in his office, which was situate
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